Protective garment

ABSTRACT

A protective garment for protecting military and emergency service personnel comprises an upper body garment having a torso portion formed of flexible material and left and right arm sleeves extending from the torso portion, each sleeve including one or more pockets for retaining a protective armour element to the sleeve. Right and left aide leggings are provided each having retainers for retaining armour elements to the leggings. Each armour element comprises a flexible or rigid ballistic resistant material or structure for protecting the limbs of a wearer against bullets and fragmentation from explosives. The protective garment includes a lower sleeve and lower leggings, each of which are detachable from the basic garment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to protective garments, and in particular, but not limited to, protective garments for protecting military and emergency service personnel including police during active service.

BACKGROUND

Military personnel often work in hazardous environments and are frequently exposed to ballistic threats such as bullets and fragments from explosive devices such as bombs and roadside IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Personnel operating in these environments may be issued with a sleeveless protective jacket for wearing in combination with standard military uniform. The protective jacket comprises front and rear pockets each extending over the front and rear torso regions for receiving a ballistic resistant plate, typically composed of a composite of multiple layers of ballistic resistant fabric such as an aramid material and embedded epoxy resin which are heat pressed together. The front and rear protective plates assist in preventing bullets and fragments penetrating the thoracic cavity and damaging vital organs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective garment for protecting personnel, comprising a torso portion formed of flexible material, and left and right arm sleeves extending from said torso portion, each sleeve comprising a flexible material and including retaining means for retaining a protective armour element to the sleeve.

Advantageously, this arrangement provides a protective garment for protecting areas of the arm susceptible to injury during combat.

In some embodiments, the sleeves may be formed of a lightweight material.

In some embodiments, the sleeves may be formed of a breathable material, for example a mesh-like material.

In some embodiments, the sleeves may be formed of a material which is capable of stretching.

In some embodiments, the torso portion may be formed of a material having one or more of the same properties of the sleeve material.

In some embodiments, each sleeve has an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion, and the retaining means comprises a first retainer positioned to retain a first protective element or plate in the upper arm portion, and a second retainer for retaining a second protective element or plate in the lower arm portion.

In some embodiments, the retaining means comprises at least one pocket provided on the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the pocket is formed on the inside of the sleeve. Advantageously, with the pockets formed on the inside of the sleeve, the material of the sleeve itself overlies the protective element or plate and assists in urging and holding the protective element or plate against the wearer's arm. In other embodiments, the pocket may be formed by attaching a web of material to the outside of the sleeve, and may be secured thereto to have a similar effect of urging the protective or plate against a wearer's arm.

In some embodiments, the pocket has an opening on at least one of the inside of the sleeve and the outside of the sleeve for permitting insertion of a protective element or plate therein. Advantageously, the use of a pocket having an opening allows the protective element or plate to be removed from the protective garment so that different protective elements or plates can be used depending on the level of protection required and the prevailing threat. Also, the removability of the plates allows the protective garment to be more easily laundered.

In some embodiments, the opening of the pocket may be closable, for example by any suitable fastening means such as a surface contact type fastener (e.g. hook and loop fastener). This allows the opening of the pocket to be quickly released and the protective elements or plates to be quickly and conveniently inserted or removed.

In some embodiments, the pocket comprises a material having any one or more similar characteristics of the material forming the main part of the sleeve and/or torso portion. In other embodiments, the pocket(s) may comprise an opaque material (e.g. woven, non-mesh) such as Cordura™ or similar material.

In some embodiments, each sleeve has an opening formed therein in the underpart of the sleeve near the junction between the sleeve and the torso portion, and/or in the torso portion adjacent the underpart of the sleeve. Advantageously, the opening reduces the heat load and facilitates cooling of the underarm region, increases mobility, and allows the weight of the protective garment to be substantially reduced. The opening may extend from the junction between the torso portion and the sleeve and may extend along a major part of the upper arm, and in some embodiments, may extend further, for example to the elbow region or below.

In some embodiments, each sleeve further comprises tightening means for tightening the sleeve against a wearer's arm. The tightening means may be disposed within a region of a protective element or plate such that the tightening means tightens the protective element or plate against a wearer's arm. For example, in embodiments where the sleeve includes protective elements for the upper and lower arms, a tightening means may be arranged to tighten the upper protective element against the upper arm and a further tightening means may be arranged to tighten the lower protective element against the lower arm.

In some embodiments, the torso portion comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and one of the front portion and the rear portion comprises left and right side flaps for securing to the other of the front portion and rear portion. Advantageously, this allows the torso portion to be tightened and fitted against a wearer's body.

In some embodiments, the front of the torso portion can be opened and may for example comprise left and right flaps and a quick release fastener to allow the flaps to be opened. The quick release fastener may for example comprise a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro).

In some embodiments, the protective element comprises a protective plate having a pre-formed transverse curvature to assist in conforming the plate to the shape of the region of a wearer's arm when in use.

In some embodiments, each protective plate is flexible to allow the transverse curvature to be varied. Advantageously, this system allows the protective plate to be bent as needed to effectively conform to the shape of a wearer's arm for increased comfort, and so that the whole of the surface area of the plate is encouraged to fit tightly and accurately to a wearer's arm. This assists in preventing relative movement between the plate and the arm, when the plate is subjected to forces along or transverse to the surface of the plate, as caused by, for example, motion of the wearer.

In some embodiments, each protective plate comprises at least one layer of ceramic and/or plastic material, e.g. polycarbonate, and at least one layer of ballistic resistant material, for example, a ballistic resistant fabric such as an aramid fibre-containing fabric, e.g. Kevlar, Dyneema, Twaron (or similar material). The protective plate may further include a layer of foam backing for increased comfort, thermal insulation and to reduce back face deformation of the plate when subjected to high velocity ballistic fragments, particles, bullets or other objects.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a protective garment for protecting personnel, comprising left and right leg protectors, each leg protector comprising a legging formed of flexible material and having retaining means secured thereto for retaining at least one protective element to the legging.

In some embodiments, the material comprises a lightweight material.

In some embodiments, the material comprises a breathable material, for example, a mesh-like material.

In some embodiments, each legging comprises an upper portion for covering an upper portion of a wearer's leg above the knee, and may further comprise a lower portion for covering at least a portion of a wearer's lower leg below the knee.

In some embodiments, each legging includes a front portion, and the front portion has an opening formed therein in the knee region. Advantageously, this arrangement increases the flexibility of the garment in the region of the knee, and also reduces the weight of the garment.

In some embodiments, the retaining means comprises at least one pocket provided on each legging. At least one pocket may be formed on the inside of each legging. Advantageously, by forming the pocket on the inside of each legging, the material of the legging overlies the protective element or plate and can therefore urge the plate into more intimate contact with the wearer. Alternatively, each pocket may be formed on the outside of the legging to have a similar effect of urging the protective element against a wearer's leg.

In some embodiments, each legging extends substantially to a waist region, and the leggings are connected together at the waist region.

In some embodiments, each legging defines an inside edge between the waist region and crotch region thereof, and at least a portion of the edges are disconnected. Advantageously, this arrangement in which there is an absence of material between the waist and crotch region provides increased flexibility, cooling and comfort.

In some embodiments, the protective element comprises a protective plate.

Protective plates may be provided for protecting any one or more of the front thigh, rear thigh, buttock region, front lower leg and rear lower leg.

In some embodiments, each protective plate comprises at least one layer of ceramic or plastic material (e.g. polycarbonate), and at least one layer of a ballistic resistant material, for example an aramid-based fabric such as Kevlar, Twaron, Dyneema or similar material. The plastic or ceramic material may be placed in front of the ballistic resistant material or vice versa. At least one protective plate may further comprise a foam backing or similar backing for increased comfort, thermal insulation and reduction of back face deformation when the front of the plate is subjected to high velocity impacts from sharp objects such as bullets and shrapnel.

In some embodiments, each protective plate has a preformed transverse curvature to generally conform to the shape of the portion of the wearer's leg where the plate is to be worn.

In some embodiments, the protective plate is flexible so that the transverse curvature can be varied to conform to the shape of a wearer's leg. Advantageously, this allows the plate to be held more closely to the wearer's leg and to reduce relative movement between the plate and leg, for increased comfort.

In some embodiments, each legging comprises tightening means for tightening a legging about a wearer's leg. The tightening means may be positioned such that it acts to tighten a protective element or plate to the wearer's leg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of a protective vest according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the vest shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a pair of protective pants according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a back view of the pants shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a protective system comprising vest and pants according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the embodiment of the protective system shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a back view of the protective system of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a protective plate according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a diagram showing proportionately where injuries are sustained on the human body by combat soldiers;

FIG. 10 shows a front view of a protective garment according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a rear view of the protective garment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a right-side view of the protective garment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11; and

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the protective garment shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 when worn.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a protective vest 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a torso portion 3 having a neck opening 4 and left and right arm sleeves 5, 7, extending from the torso portion. The sleeves 5, 7 and the torso portion are formed of a lightweight breathable material, and in this embodiment comprise a mesh-like material. The front of the torso portion 3 comprises right and left front flaps 9, 11 which overlap near a middle region of the torso portion and releasably fasten together by means of a fastener 13. The fastener may comprise any suitable fastener, and in one embodiment comprises a quick release fastener, for example, a surface contact fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener.

Referring to FIG. 2, a vest tightening system is provided to allow the torso portion to be tightened against a wearer's body. In this embodiment, the tightening system comprises right and left lower flaps 15, 17 which extend from right and left side portions 19, 21 of the torso portion, and right and left fasteners 23, 25 for fastening each flap to the rear panel 27 of the torso portion. In this embodiment, each fastener 23, 25 comprises a surface contact fastener, such as a hook and loop type fastener, in which one part of the fastener is secured to the back panel 27 of the torso portion and the other part is carried by each flap 15, 17. A slit at each side 26, 28 of the torso portion may be provided between the front and back portions thereof and may extend from the lower edge 29 of the vest a predetermined distance towards each sleeve.

Each sleeve 5, 7 has an upper arm portion 31, 33 extending between an elbow region 35, 37 and a shoulder region 39, 41, and a lower arm portion 43, 45 extending from the elbow region 35, 37 to a cuff region 47, 49.

An opening 51, 53 is provided in the underpart of each upper arm portion 31, 33 for venting, comfort and to reduce the weight of the vest and material used. The opening 51, 53 may extend from the arm into the side of the torso portion.

Each sleeve includes a retainer for retaining at least one protective element thereon. In this embodiment, the upper arm portion 31 and the lower arm portion 43 each have a retainer for retaining a protective plate, and each retainer may advantageously comprise a pocket formed on the inside of each sleeve so that the material of the sleeve overlays the protective plate and can urge or squeeze the plate against a wearer's arm. Each pocket 55, 57, 59, 61 comprises a closable opening 63, 65, 67, 69 to allow each plate to be removably inserted into the respective arm portion. Each pocket or pouch may be formed of a similar material to the sleeves and/or torso portion.

Each upper arm protective plate is adapted to protect the major upper arm muscles such as any one or more of the deltoid, the rotator cuff muscle, the tricep and bicep muscles. To this end, each upper arm plate extends from the elbow region to the shoulder region to cover the side of the arm and a portion of at least one of the front and back of the arm.

The forearm plate protectors are adapted to protect the anterior forearm which is most susceptible to injury during combat. The forearm protective plate extends from the elbow region to the cuff region.

Material having a high friction surface such as grip rubber may be provided in various parts of the vest, where needed, for example, in the shoulder regions 81, 83 to assist in securing the butt of a rifle or other munitions or device thereon.

Tightening straps may optionally be provided on each sleeve to allow the sleeve and/or protective plates to be tightened against a wearer's arm. Advantageously, this increases the surface contact area between the arm and the plate and assists in reducing relative movement between the plate and arm for improved comfort, particularly when the wearer is jogging or running or performing other exercise which involves sudden movement, such as repeated acceleration/deceleration of the limbs.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of protective pants, generally shown at 201, comprises right and left leggings 203, 205 which extend from a waist region 207 to an ankle region 209. The leggings are connected together by a waistband 211. The waistband may have a releasable connector/fastener such as a buckle, snap-connector or surface contact/fastener to allow the waistband to open, for example at the front, back or at a side thereof. Each legging has a front portion 213, 215, and in this embodiment, the front and rear portions of each legging have an inside edge 217, 219 between the waistband 211 and the crotch region 221 in which at least a portion of the edges are disconnected.

The front portion 213 of each legging 203, 205 has an opening 223, 225 in the region of the knee to allow greater flexibility in the area of the knee joint and to reduce the weight of the garment.

Each legging may comprise a material having at least one of the following properties: 1) lightweight; 2) breathable; 3) flexible; and 4) stretchable.

Each legging includes at least one retainer for retaining at least one protective element thereon. In this embodiment, each legging comprises retaining means for retaining a protective plate 227 for protecting the front upper leg, a protective plate 229 for protecting the front lower leg, a protective plate 231 for protecting the rear upper leg and a protective plate 233 for protecting the rear lower leg.

In this embodiment, each retainer comprises a pocket or pouch, preferably formed on the inside of each legging, into which each protective plate can be removably inserted through a closable opening 235, 237, 239, 241, formed for example at or near the top of each pocket. However, the opening may be formed elsewhere, for example, along the side of a pocket, at the bottom of a pocket or at a position within the area of the pocket. Each opening may be closable by a suitable fastening means, for example, a hook and loop fastener.

In one embodiment, the protective plates are shaped to protect the femur and/or the femoral artery.

In one embodiment, the lower leg protective plates are adapted to cover the shin bone and prevent injuries which would otherwise cause lower limb amputation.

Tightening means may optionally be provided to assist in tightening each legging about a leg and may be arranged to assist in tightening one or more protective plates to a wearer's leg. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tightening means comprises a plurality of web members or straps 251, 253, 255 extending from the side of each legging and which secure to a fastener 257, 259, 261 (e.g. loop or buckle) on the rear of each legging, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show a mode of wearing the protective vest and protective pants by military personnel. In this arrangement, the protective vest and protective pants are worn as a garment over standard military (e.g. combat) uniform. A (standard) ballistic resistant vest 305 may be worn over the protective vest to protect the front and back torso region, including the thoracic cavity. The vest may extend from the neck region 309 to a region 311 below the waist.

Advantageously, in embodiments of the present invention, the vest and pants provide a lightweight, breathable carriage system for carrying protective elements to protect extremities of the body such as the arms and legs to complement and enhance existing standard military jackets, which only protect the torso region. Embodiments of the protective vest and/or pants may be treated with an anti-infrared reflective treatment to reduce or prevent the material reflecting infrared light, so that the wearer cannot be observed in darkness under infrared light.

An example of a protective plate which may be used as an element with the vest or pants is shown in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the protective plate 401 comprises one or more layers 403 of ceramic or plastics material, such as polycarbonate, one or more layers 405 of ballistic resistant material or fabric, e.g. aramid fabric such as Kevlar, Twaron, Dyneema or other similar material, and an optional backing layer 407 of a relatively soft material, such as foam. In this embodiment, the plastics layer is placed to the front of the protective plate to protect against blunt impacts and also reduce the velocity of high velocity objects such as bullets and shrapnel. The ballistic resistant material assists in preventing penetration of high velocity objects to a wearer by virtue of its high tensile strength. The softer backing layer 407 provides further protection by reducing back face deformation caused by high velocity objects and may further provide additional comfort and thermal insulation.

A cover (not shown) may be provided to cover the protective plate, and may be formed of any suitable material, such as nylon, and the material may be water resistant, or waterproof.

The protective plate may have a preformed, transverse curvature generally shown at 409 between its side edges 411, 413 to assist the plate in conforming to the shape of a wearer's limb in the region at which the plate is to be worn. Alternatively, or in addition, the protective plate structure may be flexible so that it can fit more accurately to the individual's shape for increased comfort and also to reduce relative movement between the plate and a wearer (by increasing surface contact over its area).

In embodiments of the vest and/or pants, the vest or pant shell material may be abrasion resistant.

The protective vest or pants may be formed of a material to reduce its infrared signature.

At least one of the vest and pants may be provided with a quick release mechanism to facilitate donning and doffing.

One or more protective plates may have a foam backing for heat dissipation, back face deformation and comfort.

Although in FIGS. 5 to 7, the tightening webs are shown as completely circumventing the arms and legs, in other embodiments, the webs may only partially surround a limb to reduce the possibility of snagging. For example, the leg tighteners may be confined to the back of the leg.

Embodiments of the invention provide lightweight extremity protection. The protective plates may provide protection to fragmentation from various threat levels, which may include standard test threat levels of 2, 4, 16, 64 g RCC (Right Circular Cylinder). One or more protective plates may also provide protection from 9 millimetre FMJ (full metal jacket) bullets.

Advantageously, the vest and/or pants have a low thermal burden and provide an exoskeleton carriage system for carrying an adaptive armour system comprising a plurality of protective elements (e.g. plates).

The carriage system allows the protective elements to be intimately secured to the limbs of a wearer so that they move together with the wearer's limbs, and remain effectively integrated with the wearer, even when subjected to shock.

The protective system is particularly applicable to protect dismounted soldiers, although the protective system may be applied to any other personnel, for example, those operating in a hazardous environment.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide protection over a range of areas of the limbs. Studies show that the percentage of injuries in different areas of the body sustained by military personnel when in combat, are as follows:—

1) upper arm 16% 2) lower arm 11% 3) shoulder 8% 4) thigh 19% 5) lower leg 18% 6) lower extremities hand/elbow 11% 7) knee/foot 11% 8) hip/buttock 5%.

A diagram showing the percentage of injuries inflicted on different parts of the human anatomy is shown in FIG. 9.

Advantageously, embodiments of the invention can be adapted to protect limbs and limb regions which are traditionally difficult to protect and at the same time maintain operational effectiveness/flexibility and user confidence.

An example of another embodiment of a protective system is shown in FIGS. 10 to 13. Referring to FIGS. 10 to 13, the protective system generally shown at 501 comprises an upper body garment 503 in the form of a jacket having front and rear torso portions 505, 507 for generally covering the torso of a wearer, and right and left upper sleeve portions 509, 511 each extending from a shoulder region of the torso portion. Each upper sleeve 509, 511 terminates at a lower edge 513, 515, which in this embodiment is positioned at the elbow region of a wearer. Each sleeve has an opening 517, 519 in the upper lower portion thereof, i.e. in the underarm region to reduce heat load, facilitate the circulation of air, increase mobility and prevent bunching of material for comfort. Each upper sleeve includes a pocket 521, 523 for retaining a protective insert such as a ballistic resistant plate for protecting the upper arm, for example the deltoid region, against injury. The pocket may include an opening to allow the protective insert to be removed and inserted, as required. Each insert may be adapted to fit relatively tightly into each pocket to prevent relative movement between the pocket and insert. In one embodiment, this may be achieved by conforming the size and shape of the insert to that of the pocket. An optional strap 525, 527 may be provided to tighten each plate more securely against the upper arm, as required. The strap may be adapted for at least partially or completely surrounding the upper arm.

The protective system further comprises right and left lower arm sleeves 529, 531 which can be detachably connected to the upper arm sleeves by a fastening system 533. In this embodiment, the fastening system comprises first and second straps 535, 537 positioned on opposite sides and adjacent the upper edge of each lower arm sleeve and which pass through and fold back on opposed loops 539, 540 positioned near the lower edge 513 of each upper arm sleeve. Each end of the straps carries a suitable fastener for fastening the strap back onto the lower arm sleeve. Each lower sleeve 529, 531 includes a pocket 541 for retaining a protective insert for protecting the lower arm of a wearer. Each pocket may include an opening, for example positioned along the upper edge of the pocket, for enabling the protective insert to be removed and inserted, as required. An optional strap 542 may be provided for each lower arm sleeve for tightening the protective insert against a person's lower arm. The strap may be fixed to the lower arm or separate therefrom. The protective insert for the lower and/or upper arms may comprise a ballistic resistant plate comprising any suitable material or structure. In one embodiment, the protective plate may comprise an outer layer of ceramic material and one or more layers of ballistic resistant fabric, e.g. a high tensile strength fabric such as an aramid or other polymeric material. The protective plate may additionally include a backing layer for reducing back deformation and may, for example, comprise a foam material.

The protective system further comprises an upper leg protective garment 543 comprising a waist section 544 and right and left upper leg sections 545, 546 connected to and depending from the waist section 544. In this embodiment, each upper leg section 545, 546 has the form of a hose for receiving and surrounding the upper leg of a wearer, and is formed of a flexible material. An opening 547 is formed in the upper inside edge of each leg section to reduce heat load and increase mobility. Each leg section includes a front pocket 548 for retaining a protective insert therein. Each pocket may include an opening for enabling the protective insert to be removed and inserted, as required. Each leg section further includes rear upper and lower pockets 549, 550 each for retaining a protective insert. In this embodiment, the upper pocket 549 is positioned to cover a buttock region and the lower pocket 550 is positioned to cover a portion of the rear upper leg. Each pocket may have an opening for enabling the protective insert to be removed and inserted, as required.

Each protective insert may be sized and shaped to fit relatively tightly into each pocket to reduce relative movement therebetween. The protective inserts may be formed of any suitable material and have any structure, depending on the nature of the threat. For example, each insert may comprise a ballistic resistant material or structure and may be similar to the structure described above for the arm protective inserts. The protective inserts may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid plate or may have a relatively flexible structure, for example as may be provided by one or more layers of ballistic resistant fabric.

The waist section 544 comprises front, side and rear portions 551, 552, 553 which surround the waist and includes a fastener 554 such as a belt. In this embodiment, each side portion 552 of the waist section extend downwardly relative to the front and rear portions to cover at least a portion of the hips of a wearer, (so that the waist section has a generally saddle shape, but this shape is optional). The waist section includes a pocket for retaining one or more protective inserts therein, and in one embodiment, the protective insert(s) may have the general form of the waist section. The protective insert(s) may be formed of any suitable material, and in one embodiment comprise a flexible or resilient structure comprising one or more layers of ballistic resistant fabric, such as an aramid or other polymeric material. The pocket or pockets of the waist section may have openings to allow the protective insert to be removed and inserted, as required.

In this embodiment, the waist section 544 includes a tail section which extends downwardly from a mid portion of the rear section 553 to protect the tailbone of a wearer. The tail section 555 may comprise a ballistic resistant material or structure and may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. In one embodiment, the tail section 555 comprises a plurality of layers of ballistic resistant fabric, such as an aramid or other polymeric material. The tail section may include a pocket for retaining a protective insert therein and the pocket may have an opening to allow the protective insert to be removed and inserted, as required. In other embodiments, a fastening system may be provided for releasably fastening the tail section to the waist section.

The protective system further comprises right and left knee protectors 556, 557. Each knee protector may comprise one or more layers of ballistic resistant material, such as an aramid or other polymeric material and may be rigid, semi-rigid or flexible. Each knee protector includes a fastener for fastening the knee protector to the corresponding upper leg section 545, 546, and includes a second fastener 559 comprising a strap for fastening the knee protectors about the leg of a wearer. In this embodiment, the first fastener comprises a web of flexible material extending from an upper edge region of each knee protector, and a loop 560 positioned adjacent a lower front edge of the upper leg sections for receiving the web 558 which is then folded back and attaches to the knee protector by a suitable fastener, for example a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro. The provision of a fastening system for fastening the knee protector to the upper leg section keeps the knee protector in the correct vertical position and prevents it from sliding down.

The protective system further comprises right and left lower leg sections 561, 562. Each section is in the form a hose for receiving and surrounding a person's lower leg and may be formed of a suitable flexible fabric. Each lower leg section 561, 562 includes a front pocket 563 for retaining a protective insert for protecting the front of a person's leg, and a rear pocket 564 for retaining a protective insert for covering and protecting a person's rear lower leg portion. Each pocket may include an opening to allow the protective inserts to be removed and inserted, as required. Each protective insert may comprise a ballistic resistant material or structure, and may comprise a rigid or semi-rigid protective plate or a flexible material such as one or more layers of ballistic resistant fabric such as an aramid or other polymeric material. An additional strap 565 may be provided for tightening the front and rear protective inserts against a person's lower leg. A strap or other tightening mechanism 566 may be provided to tighten the lower portion of the lower leg section about a wearer's ankle. An optional strap 567 may be provided for tightening front and rear lower protective inserts against a person's upper leg.

The protective system of this embodiment is a modular design comprising separable components which include separable lower arm sleeves, separable knee protectors and separable lower leg protectors, and provides a high degree of flexibility for the wearer. Each of the detachable lower arm sleeves, the knee protectors and lower leg protectors can be removed or worn as required depending on the application and the type and/or level of prevailing threat.

In the embodiments described above, any one or more of the protective elements may have the same or similar shape to the pockets.

In other embodiments, the material of the vest and/or pants may comprise a continuous fabric, e.g. a closely woven fabric rather than a mesh material, but may otherwise have characteristics of lightweight and/or stretchable and/or breathable. The material may have a smooth external surface to reduce the possibility of snagging and may be made of natural and/or synthetic fibres, either alone or in combination. (Non-limiting examples include polyester, polypropylene, cotton and aramid fibre)

The vest and/or pants and/or protective elements may be provided with any camouflage pattern, as desired or needed.

Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention may comprise a combination of any two or more features disclosed herein. In other aspects and embodiments, any one or more features may be removed altogether or substituted by another feature, for example an equivalent or variant thereof.

Numerous modifications and changes to the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1-77. (canceled)
 78. A protective garment for protecting personnel, comprising a torso portion formed of flexible material, and left and right arm sleeves extending from said torso portion, each sleeve comprising a flexible material and including retaining means for retaining a protective armour element to the sleeve.
 79. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, wherein each sleeve has an upper arm portion and a lower arm portion, and said retaining means comprises one or more of (1) a first retainer positioned to retain a first protective armour element in the upper arm portion, and (2) a second retainer for retaining a second protective armour element in the lower arm portion.
 80. A protective garment as claimed in claim 79, wherein said lower arm portion comprises a discrete sleeve portion detachable from said upper arm portion and fastening means for releasably fastening the lower arm portion to the upper arm portion.
 81. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, wherein said retaining means comprises at least one pocket provided on said sleeve.
 82. A protective garment as claimed in claim 81, wherein one or more of (1) the pocket is formed on the outside of said sleeve, (2) the pocket has an opening on at least one of the inside of the sleeve and the outside of the sleeve for permitting insertion of a protective armour element therein, and (3) an opening is positioned near the top of said pocket.
 83. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, wherein one or more of (1) at least a portion of each sleeve comprises a lightweight, breathable material or mesh material, and (2) said torso portion comprises a front panel and a rear panel and one or both panels comprises a lightweight, breathable material or mesh material.
 84. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, wherein at least one of (1) said sleeves and (2) said torso portion comprises at least one of a stretchable material, and polypropylene.
 85. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, wherein each sleeve has an opening formed therein in the under part of the sleeve near the junction between the sleeve and the torso portion.
 86. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, wherein said torso portion comprises a front portion and a rear portion, and at least one of the front portion and the rear portion comprises left and right side flaps for securing to at least one of the front portion and rear portion.
 87. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, further comprising at least one protective armour element for each sleeve.
 88. A protective garment as claimed in claim 87, wherein at least one protective armour element comprises at least one of (1) a plurality of layers of ballistic resistant fabric, and (2) a protective plate.
 89. A protective garment as claimed in claim 88, wherein at least one of (1) the protective plate has a pre-formed transverse curvature to assist in conforming the plate to the shape of the region of a wearer's arm when in use, and (2) each protective plate has a transverse curvature and is flexible to allow the transverse curvature to be varied.
 90. A protective garment as claimed in claim 88, wherein a protective plate comprises at least one layer of plastic and/or ceramic material and at least one layer of ballistic resistant fabric.
 91. A protective garment as claimed in claim 90, wherein said plastic or ceramic material is positioned as an outer layer relative to the ballistic resistant material.
 92. A protective garment as claimed in claim 78, further comprising tightening means for tightening each sleeve and/or at least one protective element against a wearer's arm.
 93. The use of a protective garment as claimed in claim 78, at least one of (1) by military personnel and/or emergency service personnel, (2) worn over standard military uniform, and (3) wherein at least one of an additional protective jacket, a protective jacket comprising a torso portion which includes a ballistic resistant material or structure, a protective jacket which is substantially sleeveless and comprises a torso portion which includes a ballistic resistant material or structure, is worn over the torso portion of said protective garment.
 94. A protective garment for protecting personnel, comprising left and right leg protectors, each leg protector comprising a legging formed of flexible material and having retaining means secured thereto for retaining at least one protective element to the legging.
 95. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, wherein said flexible material comprises at least one of (1) a lightweight material, (2) a breathable material, and (3) a mesh material.
 96. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, wherein each legging comprises an upper portion for covering an upper portion of a wearer's leg above the knee.
 97. A protective garment as claimed in claim 96, wherein each legging further comprises a lower portion for covering at least a portion of a wearer's lower leg below the knee.
 98. A protective garment as claimed in claim 97, wherein each legging includes a front portion and the front portion has an opening formed therein in the knee region.
 99. A protective garment as claimed in claim 97, wherein each lower portion comprises a discrete element, which can be worn and removed separately from said upper portion.
 100. A protective garment as claimed in claim 99, further comprising fastening means for fastening the lower portion to the upper portion.
 101. A protective garment as claimed in claim 96, further comprising left and right knee protectors each comprising a protective material and sized to cover a wearer's knee.
 102. A protective garment as claimed in claim 101, wherein said knee protector comprises a discrete element separate from said upper portion.
 103. A protective garment as claimed in claim 102, further comprising fastening means for releasably fastening each knee protector to a respective upper portion of a legging.
 104. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, wherein said retaining means comprises at least one pocket provided on each legging.
 105. A protective garment as claimed in claim 104, wherein one or more of (1) said at least one pocket is formed on the outside of each legging, (2) said pocket comprises an opening on at least one of the inside of the legging and the outside of the legging for permitting insertion of a protective armour element therein, and (3) the internal side of said pocket comprises at least one of a lightweight and breathable material.
 106. A protective garment as claimed in claim 105, wherein said opening is positioned near the top of said pocket.
 107. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, wherein each legging extends substantially to a waist region and said leggings are connected together at said waist region.
 108. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, further comprising at least one protective armour element for each legging.
 109. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, wherein said leggings each comprise one or more of (1) a retaining means for retaining a protective element in a position for protecting a front region of the thigh of a wearer, (2) a retaining means for retaining a protective element in a position for protecting a rear region of a wearer's upper leg, (3) retaining means for retaining a protective element in a position to protect a buttock region of a wearer, (4) a retainer for retaining a protective element at a position for protecting a front portion of a wearer's lower leg, and (5) a retainer for retaining a protective element in a position for protecting a rear portion of a wearer's lower leg.
 110. A protective garment as claimed in claim 109, further comprising a respective protective element for protecting each said respective region.
 111. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, wherein each legging comprises tightening means for tightening a legging about a wearer's leg.
 112. A protective garment as claimed in claim 111, wherein at least one of (1) said tightening means comprises at least one web or strap, (2) said tightening means is positioned on the rear of each legging, and (3) each tightening means is positioned to tighten at least one protective element against a wearer's leg.
 113. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, wherein said leggings each define an inside edge between the waist region and crotch region thereof and at least a portion of the edges are disconnected.
 114. A protective garment as claimed in claim 113, wherein the opposed edges are at least one of at the front of said leggings and at the rear of said leggings.
 115. A protective garment as claimed in claim 94, further comprising a waist portion, each legging attached to said waist portion, and wherein said waist portion includes at least one of a retaining means for retaining a protective element for protecting a portion of the waist region of a wearer, and a protective armour material for protecting a waist region.
 116. A protective garment as claimed in claim 115, wherein said retaining means comprises at least one pocket.
 117. A protective garment as claimed in claim 115, further comprising a tailbone protector extending downwardly from a mid-rear portion of said waist portion.
 118. The use of a protective garment as claimed in claim 94, at least one of (1) by military or emergency service personnel and (2) by donning the protective garment by placing said leggings over standard military uniform or other garment, and, optionally tightening said leggings against said military uniform or other garment.
 119. A body protective system comprising a torso portion formed of flexible material, left and right arm sleeves extending from said torso portion, each sleeve comprising a flexible material and including retaining means for retaining a protective armour element to the sleeve and left and right leg protectors, each leg protector comprising a legging formed of flexible material and having retaining means secured thereto for retaining at least one protective element to the legging. 